Lane von Herzen: Text Record for the OIG Hotline

My Third Novel's Conclusion, My Heartbreak

My heart begins to break when I think about completing this particular book -- because this narrative has sustained me like no other story I've known. It's both more personal and more universal than my other works. But beyond memory and archetype, it's a cri-de-coeur about needing to become the person one is destined to be. And in the writing, I have met my own life's work, my own fated journey -- having the sense all the while that the pages are suffused with a resonance, an energy, an electrified field that defies explanation. Writers hope and pray to be overtaken by a work in this way -- to be conscripted into passionate service of a profound story. To experience it even once in a lifetime seems a great privilege. I still have several months before this novel is complete, and this constitutes my reprieve. Because I'm not ready for the beauty to end.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Text Record for the OIG Hotline

OIG Hotline, texts with my older son, provided to you this morning, include the following exchange. Please note that I am being obstructed from placing screenshots of this text exchange on this blog at this time. However, the original images have been sent to your Office via email this morning.

Most sincerely,

Lane MacWilliams

LM: Honey, what do you think about a situation in which a young man is directed to marry someone who is under threat of deportation? A marriage under such circumstances is actually a federal crime, and those directing the marriage understand that quite well.

LM: Any thoughts on that particular scenario?

LM: Any notion about what it means?

GTM: What on earth are you talking about? I can tell you I will not be marrying anyone anytime soon.

LM: In general, people who are already married are prohibited from marrying again.